All articles by: Elliott Jackson

Peterborough vs Leicester City – Betting Match Preview

January 26, 2018 by Elliott Jackson·Comments Off

The morning televised game on Saturday 27th January 2018 will be live on BBC1 featuring Peterborough vs Leicester City.

League One play-off contenders Peterborough United host Leicester City at London Road hoping to create another shock upset in the FA Cup.

After knocking out Aston Villa in the last round, Peterborough will be hoping for another cup upset as they look to head into the fifth round. This time on their own turf, the Posh will be looking for another famous scalp as they welcome Claude Puel’s men. If Grant McCann’s side are to upset the apple cart, they’ll be reliant on key players to have good games.

Jack Marriot and Marcus Maddison have already attracted interest from a number of Championship clubs and another good performance raise the duo’s stock even further. Maddison, in particular, has been one of League One’s best performers for some time and could join a long line of Peterborough prodigies to move on to bigger and better things.

Peterborough will be hoping to make the play-offs this year after falling short for the last couple of years. Sat in eighth, Posh sit three points behind sixth-placed Charlton ahead of this game. They ended their run of three league games without a win at the weekend with a thumping victory over Oldham. They have lost just one of their last ten games in all competitions and will fancy their chances against the former Premier League champions.

Leicester took two attempts to make it into the fourth round as they needed a replay to beat Fleetwood Town. Against fellow League One opposition the Foxes will need to put in a much better display if they’re to avoid a cup exit. In the league, Leicester have been good of late, having won two of their last three games, including an impressive 0-0 draw against Chelsea.

Claude Puel has definitely improved this side since taking over October and with a few reinforcements in the summer, I don’t see why they couldn’t challenge for a Europa League spot next campaign. Holding onto Riyad Mahrez will be key with the Algerian in scintillating form of late. With a host of big clubs circling the winger, Leicester may find themselves searching for a replacement in the not too distant future.

Peterborough have lost just one of the two clubs last four meetings, with the last fixture back in 2013. Michael Oliver is in charge of this game, with the Premier League referee averaging the third highest average booking points in the league. Oliver has also brandished 70 yellow cards this season, the most of any official in the top flight.

Looking at this weekend’s fixtures, you know there will be one or two shocks. I definitely think this has the potential for an upset. Peterborough have already proven that by beating Villa last time, whilst Leicester fielded a much-changed side against Fleetwood in both games. As is usually the case when Posh play, there should be goals, with BTTS a good bet.

The game will be televised in the UK on BT Sport 2 at 12:30 GMT.

Prediction: Peterborough 2-1 Leicester City.

Suggested tips (Skybet):

Correct score, Peterborough to win 2-1– 16/1

Vardy & Okazaki to both score – 7/2

Marriott to score and win – 11/2

BTTS and over 2.5 goals – 11/10

BTTS and Peterborough to win – 17/2

More Weekend FA Cup previews from this weekend are available in our tips and previews section.

Bristol City vs Manchester City – Betting Match Preview

January 22, 2018 by Elliott Jackson·Comments Off

Bristol City will be hoping to overturn a 2-1 deficit from their first leg, as they host Manchester City in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday night at Ashton Gate.

Sergio Aguero’s stoppage-time winner ensured that Manchester City came into this match with a slender lead. After finding themselves 1-0 down at the break, it was key that Pep Guardiola’s men reacted and managed to get themselves back in the game through Kevin De Bruyne.

After being caused a multitude of problems by their Championship counterpart at the Etihad, City will take nothing for granted when they face off at Ashton Gate. Guardiola’s side will be buoyed after their return to winning ways at the weekend, beating Newcastle 3-1.

Aguero grabbed a hat-rick on the weekend to end any hope of a Newcastle comeback on the weekend.

Aguero was in the goals again as he grabbed a hat-trick as City responded from their defeat at Anfield the week previous. After conceding defeat in the race to sign Alexis Sanchez, City will turn their attention to summer for new recruits. For now, the focus is on competing for four trophies, the first of which being the Carabao Cup. With the league seemingly sewed up before February, City can focus on the Champions League and FA Cup as they look to secure the club’s best ever trophy haul.

The hosts come into this game without a win in six games. After five straight defeats, the Robins stopped the rot with an impressive 0-0 draw at second-placed Derby on Friday night. The goals have dried up recently for Lee Johnson’s men, with just two goals scored in those six games.

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson will be hoping talisman Bobby Reid recalls his goal-scoring touch against City.

Top scorer Bobby Reid has cut an isolated figure at times, whilst record signing Famara Diedhiou has only just returned from injury. Reid has 14 goals to his name, the next best is six, underlining the Robins’ reliance on their main talisman. As Reid hasn’t scored since the defeat to Manchester City, it has seen a dip in results.

If they want to secure promotion to the Premier League, it’s key Johnson targets another forward to offer support to Reid. If they don’t, they risk becoming too one dimensional. However, after claiming several Premier League scalps en route to the semi-final, Ashton Gate will be rocking on Tuesday night. Whilst City are massive favours, we saw from the first leg that Bristol City can certainly cause the Champions elect some problems.

Graham Scott takes charge of the second leg between Bristol City & Manchester City at Ashton Gate.

Graham Scott has been selected as the referee for this game. Scott may be detrimental to those looking to back booking points. Scott has produced just one red card this season and has averaged just two yellow cards a game. This takes his average booking points total to just 21.9, the second lowest of all Premier League referees this campaign.

I think this game could be very similar to the first leg. Roared on by the Ashton Gate crowd, I expect the hosts to come fast out the blocks to put City under pressure. Despite this, I think City will have the edge and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a repeat of the scoreline from the first leg.

Prediction: Bristol City 1-2 Manchester City.

{ad}

Suggested tips(Skybet):

Correct score, Manchester City to win 2-1– 17/2

Aguero to score a brace – 9/4

Reid to score first and City to win 2-1 – 240/1

Aguero and Sterling to both score – 2/1

Manchester City to win in extra time – 28/1

On Wednesday night, the winners of this tie will find out who they will face in the final. Don’t forget to miss our betting preview for the return leg of Arsenal vs. Chelsea.

Swansea City vs Liverpool – Match Preview

January 19, 2018 by Elliott Jackson·Comments Off

Liberty Stadium plays host this Monday evening with Swansea City vs Liverpool in the Premier League. Can the Swans pull off a shock win?

After ending City’s unbeaten Premier League start, Liverpool have been in the headlines all week. After such a fantastic display, the onus is now on them to make sure they take three points against basement side Swansea. Even without Phillipe Coutinho, the attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamad Salah ran riot with all three finding themselves on the scoresheet against Pep Guardiola’s side. Firmino, in particular, has come in for praise, with Jamie Carragher labelling the Brazilian ‘the most underrated player in the league’. When you look at his stats, it’s hard to argue. For someone who is commonly thought of as an unorthodox number nine, Firmino has 17 goals already this season, more than Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata.

Firmino has shown that Coutinho’s departure will not have too much of an affect on Liverpool Photo Credit: skysports.com

Having preferred Firmino to Daniel Sturridge during his time at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp has got everything he requires from his central striker. The 26-year-old’s ability to press backlines with intelligence is a highly sought attribute and something that was instrumental in Liverpool’s win against City. In addition to his impressive work rate, Firmino’s link up play is exceptional and when he drops deep to receive the ball, it allows Mane and Salah to exploit the space behind him. He’s also now adding goals to his game. Now in his third season at Anfield, Firmino managed just 24 goals in his first two seasons. With 17 already this term, he has a great chance of going on to record double that amount.

After just one defeat in his first five games in charge, Carlos Carvalhal’s side knocked out Wolves in their FA Cup replay in midweek. Whilst both sides named much-changed teams, Swansea seem to have improved under their Portuguese head coach. With four points from their last three games, recent results will give Carvalhal confidence his side can pick up points against the teams around them. With games against Brighton, West Ham and Huddersfield to come in February, it’s vital Swansea can build some confidence going into those fixtures. Whilst they still sit bottom of the Premier League, they are just four points adrift of safety.

Ayew grabbed the first in the FA Cup win over Wolves Photo Credit: skysports.com

Despite losing 5-0 in the reverse fixture this season, Swansea have won two of their last four meetings with Liverpool. Having defeat Liverpool at the Liberty Stadium in 2016, there may be hope for the Swans when the Reds come calling. Liverpool have however won seven of their last nine meetings, scoring 22 goals. Neil Swarbrick has been placed in charge of this game. The experienced ref has averaged just 24.6 booking points this season, the third lowest in the division. Swarbrick is also yet to brandish a red card during his 13 matches this campaign.

After such an impressive win last time out, it would be typical of Liverpool to lose this game. Despite the Swans recent improvement though, I think the Reds will take all three points in South Wales, but it will be tighter than most might expect.

Prediction: Swansea 1-2 Liverpool

Suggested Tips

(SKYBET)

CORRECT SCORE – LIVERPOOL TO WIN 2-1 – 15/2

FIRMINO TO SCORE FIRST AND LIVERPOOL TO WIN 3-0- 19/1

SALAH AND MANE TO BOTH SCORE – 7/2

AYEW TO SCORE AND FT DRAW – 16/1

BTTS AND LIVERPOOL TO WIN – 21/10

LIVERPOOL TO WIN BY EXACTLY ONE GOAL – 11/4